Quinton Jackson joins Bellator roster

Fans wondering where light heavyweight Quinton Jackson would land after parting ways with the UFC now have an answer. Though the promotion initially denied interest in the popular pugilist, it appears Bellator has indeed gone out and snatched up the former UFC champion, inking him to a multi-fight deal.

MMAJunkie was first to report Jackson’s signing. Bellator has since confirmed the news, though no date was mentioned in terms of his targeted debut. Jackson will also serve as a member of TNA Wrestling‘s roster similar to 205-pound counterpart Mo Lawal.

More information will be released at a press conference planned for tomorrow.

Though “Rampage” is on a three-fight slide, he still represents the biggest free agent Bellator has signed to date both in terms of past accomplishments and fanbase. He holds an overall record of 36-11 with fourteen knockouts to his credit as well as past success against the likes of Chuck Liddell, Wanderlei Silva, Lyoto Machida, and Dan Henderson.

Me too MCM, he loves fighting in Asia/Japan so I don’t know why he wouldn’t go to an org that didn’t promote there, especially when he’s said time after time after time that Japanese fan’s are way more supportive then American fans.

I’m guessing Bellator threw big money to get him to sign – in part, so they can use his signing to offset the negative publicity other fighters are reading “Why would you worry about signing with us? Look, we just signed Quinton Jackson.”

Of course he doesn’t give a crap about exit or matching clauses, so its a spurious argument.

I’m sure they promised him that they’d let him talk shit about the UFC in his promo work as well, which is an obvious selling point for Rampage. Whatever deal they gave him, hopefully he’ll actually be motivated and won’t gas by the second round for a change.